When did the 70 years desolation spoken about by Jeremiah begin?

This question has been a matter of debate for more than a hundred years. The probability of me convincing anyone who has a different view of the matter is nil and is not my object, but I have been asked to “give a reason” for my views and so that is what I will do.

To come to an answer, you need to study Jeremiah 25, 29, and 32. Daniel references Jeremiah in Daniel 9 and so we also find it in the book of Chronicles (2 Chron. 36). We find that Moses prophesied of it in Leviticus 26. Zechariah, Ezra as well as Ezekiel also speak of the 70 years. So, there is a lot of information that needs to be taken into account.

We are told in multiple texts that Cyrus’ decree to rebuild the temple marks the end of the 70 years. That is well established in history as 536 BC. Now we know the 70 years must begin in 606 BC. The debate is what event marks 606 BC.

Was the prophecy that the people had to stay in the land 70 years? Or was it more about the land?

If it is about the people then when do you start counting? On the first wave? Or when all captives at dealt with? I would think all would need to be dealt with.

Jeremiah 52 breaks down the three different captivities and they cover a 16 year period.

1) 3023 people taken captive in the 7th year

2) 832 people in the 18th year

3) 745 people in the 23rd year of Nebuchadnezzar.

What about the land? Wasn’t the whole reason they were going into captivity because of the land? Their disobedience lead to an abuse of the land and so there was total defilement.

Moses warned about the desolation in Leviticus 26 and states: 34 Then shall the land enjoy her sabbaths, as long as it lieth desolate, and ye be in your enemies' land; even then shall the land rest, and enjoy her sabbaths.

So, the land has to be desolate to enjoy or fulfill its sabbaths.

Jeremiah also bring out the land being desolate:

Jer. 25:11 And this whole land shall be a desolation, and an astonishment; and these nations shall serve the king of Babylon seventy years.

Jer. 32:43 And fields shall be bought in this land, whereof ye say, It is desolate without man or beast; it is given into the hand of the Chaldeans.

Daniel talks about the seventy year desolation of Jerusalem—that didn’t happen in the first two captivities, Zedekiah was still on the throne and making decisions and putting Jeremiah in the cistern as a prisoner. When he was taken Gedeliah was left for a short time (7 months) before he was murdered—then Nebuchadnezzar came and put an end to everything.

Dan 9: 2 In the first year of his reign I Daniel understood by books the number of the years, whereof the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah the prophet, that he would accomplish seventy years in the desolations of Jerusalem.

Again another emphasis on the land:

Zec 7:14 But I scattered them with a whirlwind among all the nations whom they knew not. Thus the land was desolate after them, that no man passed through nor returned: for they laid the pleasant land desolate.

And another:

Eze 33:28 For I will lay the land most desolate, and the pomp of her strength shall cease; and the mountains of Israel shall be desolate, that none shall pass through.

I see two criteria that have to be met for the 70 years to begin.

1)People have to be removed—thus all captivities have to be taken place

2)Land has to be desolate 70 years

We know that this had to happen in 606 BC to make it 70 years to 536 BC. Going by the Bible—the first captivity could not have happened in 606BC, because the “land” would not have been desolate 70 years. And a third of the people hadn’t been taken into captivity, never mind the amount of people killed. There was too many people in the land until after Zedekiah was taken.

Why is this such a big deal for some? I don’t know. We can all agree on the 536 BC date, so why make it a sticking point and get all disjointed when people don’t see it our way? I can’t answer that.

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